Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-07


dccisioa Of the Supreme Court, but ~ Q
senator be questioned 1t with a sense Of
duty which would not permit him TO adopt
II. lie could not subscribe TO the doctrine
that Interstate commerce could ouly be
protected through the action Of Congress.
The bill was based solely on that false pre-
mise. II opened the door to the interference
OF Congress with every regulation Of Grade
and commerce. II exposed the charter Of
every railroad company given by Ststes) 10
notifications through acts OF Congress. For
100 yesrs the States had assisted and protect
ed Interstate commerce. Congress, doubt
ing the extent OF Its power, had per.
miited such assistance and protection on
the part OF the States, and In doing 80 had
blessed the country by It's inactinn. The
principle Of this bill would end Ia making
merchandise OF politics, while IL ruled and
ruined business. lie admitted all that bad
been SAID as TO the suferings and wrongs
OF the people through the greed OF rail-
road companies, but In finding a remedy
for the evil be neither wished 10
ind for the people new master
remote from them and their influence)
In Congress. nor 10 place In the hands OF
that master power over their trade and
traffic more dangerous to them than even
the power OF railroad companies. Az he
read this bill (thc Interpretation Of which
was so uncertain that every one had to In
terprct 1t for himselD, II necessitated the
increase OF rates on long bauls M all cases
where roads could not sacrifice large part
OF their income. He was convinced that
the roads TO the coal and iron-fields OK
Alabama could not do that, and the burden
would fall heavily on those new industries
1T tok md Ahaf. L. atr0xr
them.
Mr.. CulIom said he was very anxious to
have the bin disposed OF as soon as possible
consistent with fair discussion, and he
therefore gave notice that on Tuesday or
Wednesday next he would ask the Senate TO
remain in session until the subject was dis
posed Of.
Executive session. Adjourned.
House OF Representatives.
The House consumed the morning hour
In Committee OF the Whole considering the
bill for the permanent improvement OF the
Erie and Oswego canals, and to secure the
freedom OF same 10 the commerce OF the
United States. The desire was expressed
to reach vote on the bill, as 1t did not
seem likely to pass, and should be gotten
out OF the way OF other legislation.
MIR. Weaver, Of Iowa, said that the bill
would fail unless the Hennepin canal ap.
| preparation was attached TO It.
The House then went into Committee OF
| the Whole on the pension appropriation
bill, which appropriates S76, PAT 800, being
| only 5000 below the estimates, the reduc-
ton being in the item for rent OF offices for
| pension agencies. Without amendment or
| discussion the bill was read, reported, and
passed
The House then-by yeas 1873, nays II
went into Committee OF the Whole on the
naval Reorganization bill.
Mr.. Sayres, OF Texas, declared that there
was no political object sought to be &C
complished by the measure. IL had for It's
object reform in the administration OF
naval affairs, in order 10 insure harmony,
promote efficiency, produce economy, and
secure responsibility. We had no fleet
worthy OF the name; our navy.yards and
stations, Notwithstanding the immense
sums spent upon them, were In worth.
less and deplorable condition, and IL thlS
lamentable condition OF affairs was due, as
he thought it was, TO the organization
OF the navy as il now existed, the impera-
tive duty devolved upon Congress to
give the relief which was extended by the
pending bill. lie proceeded to draw de-
plorable picture Of q navy too weak TO
fight and too slow TO run away, and OF navy
yards, useless, and worn-out, and utterly in
capable Of constructing first-cIass war ves-
sells, and In tracing the causes OF this worth
lessness and decay to the cumbersome or
ganization Of the navy. lie fortified his po-
sition with extracts from the expressed
opinions Of Secretaries Whitney and Chand-
Ter.
Messrs. Reed and Boutelle, OF Maine, in
political speeches opposed the bill.
Mr. McAdoo, OF New Jersey, favored 1t
as purely business proposition.
Pending the debate the committee rose
and the House adjourned.